What ETFs Would Work Best During a Trump Presidency?

From Zacks Research: As the prime election day is drawing closer, the gap between Republican and Democrat presidential candidates is narrowing, though Clinton is still ahead. As per Real Clear Politics poll average, the lead of Clinton over Trump shrank from 19.6 points (on July 2, 2015) to just 2.8 points on July 20, 2016.

Though throughout the campaign period, Clinton has mostly maintained a strong lead, recently Trump is all over with his popularity picking pace. Against such a scenario, Trump’s economic and political agenda, and its impact on the investing world deserve a look.

Tax Cut into the Play?

Donald Trump is a believer of tax cuts and plans to bring the top individual tax rate down to 25% from 39.6%, abolish the estate tax, slash ‘the corporate tax rate to 15% from 35% and tax business profits of high-income households at a lower rate than their wages’, as per Wall Street Journal. However, he noted that despite such widespread cuts, the economy will not face higher budget deficits.

On the corporate level, a notable impact would be felt on the tax inversion deals. U.S. companies often resort to the cross-border merge route to shift headquarters to a foreign base and avoid higher U.S. taxes. Notably, such deals have been rampant in the Health Care sector (read: New Tax Inversions Rules: Threats to Healthcare ETFs?).

With a cut in the tax rate, companies may not have to rush to tax havens. This might benefit Health Care companies and related ETFs like Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) to some extent.

On the other hand, Trump is a believer of the fact that medicare could save as much as $300 billion annually through negotiation with drugmakers. This may turn negative for the healthcare sector.

On a different note, tax cuts would invariably boost consumer spending thus pushing up consumer stocks and the related ETFs like iShares U.S. Consumer Services ETF (IYC – ETF report) . Income earners who are into the top tax bracket will especially be blessed. Since stock markets in most cases are being accessed by the high-income population, this extra cash received from tax will likely boost stock market activity further.

Infrastructure to Get a Boost

Donald Trump is also in favor of beefing up the infrastructure sector by working on roads, bridges, water systems and the power grid. He has a plan to shell out a trillion dollars on this.

Needless to mention, infrastructure and utilities ETFs should get a boost, if the plan ever materializes. Utilities ETFs like FirstTrust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund(FXU) and PowerShares S&P SmallCap Utilities Portfolio ETF (PSCU) are likely to benefit from this trend (read: Should You Play these Overvalued Sector ETFs?).

Break-Up of Big Banks

The latest surprise from the Republican platform is to pitch for reinstating the Glass-Steagall Act. The act, which showed up after the 1929 stock market crash, made investment and commercial banking two different segments. This step was taken because it was believed that commercial banks’ excessive stock market investment led to the market crash and the subsequent Great Depression (read: These Big Banks Could Lose If Donald Trump Wins).

Though Trump indicated that he will take a dovish stance on other energy sources, including nuclear, wind and solar, he still said that “solar and wind still required subsidies or had payoff periods too long to be attractive.”

Also, sinceTrump is planning to lift limits on energy production and drill oil at the country’s full potential, oil prices – which are already suffering from higher global output and are finally on the verge of a turnaround – may slip again. Oil ETFs including United States Oil Fund (USO – ETF report) and PowerShares DB Oil Fund (DBO – ETF report) are likely to feel the pinch (read: 5 ETFs for Those Who Believe the Oil Rally is Over).

Idea of Mexico Wall

Trump vows to make Mexico pay for a wall along the border as a part of his immigration plan. If this concept of Trump Wall turns into a reality, it might hamper booming U.S. exports of its natural gas surpluses to Mexico. This suggested move puts the spotlight on iShares MSCI Mexico Capped (EWW – ETF report) while natural gas ETFs like United States Natural Gas FundUNG also draw attention.

35% Tax on Products Built Outside US

With Trump urging U.S. companies to shift their manufacturing plants back home by imposing a 35% import tax, a trend of ‘offshoring’ will eventually fade out and a trend of ‘reshoring’ will be seen. With this, industrial ETFs like Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) and First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) may gain traction.